Otter Loves Homeschoolers
It's absolutely energizing to hear that the most powerful leader in my state not only supports, but also encourages, homeschooling.
Idaho's governor, Butch Otter, loves home-based education, as evidenced by this article about a recent speech he made to a group of kids at a homeschool graduation ceremony.
One quote from his remarks: "There can be no firmer foundation for your future than the education you have received at home."
That's what I've always told people. We're building a foundation for my son's future, something that he himself can build upon. We're teaching him independent-thinking and a love for learning.
Governor Otter may appreciate and understand the job homeschoolers are doing, but others still stubbornly argue. In that same article, Sherri Wood, the head of the state's largest teachers' union, trots out the same old tired point about... Can you guess? Yes, socialization. Ugh.
Wood says, "They're pretty isolated. They don't have any of those socialization skills. Employers want students who aren't just skilled in academics. They want them to get along well with other people."
So, the mission of the public schools is to teach kids to get along with each other? Well, I've seen how that's working out.
I've been around a lot of homeschoolers over the past year, during field trips, picnics, parties, and classes. One thing you will not find among them is a bully. They are the most polite, respectful young kids you could ever hope to find.
And isolated? What did I just write up there? About field trips, picnics, parties, and classes? Give me a break. This is why I just laugh when someone brings up the "socialization" argument. There is no faster way to reveal your ignorance of the subject.
With our governor's resounding endorsement of homeschooling, doors will continue to open wider for students like my son. The last few negative stereotypes are slowly fading. I'm very happy about that. Heck, I might even vote for Otter next election.
Idaho's governor, Butch Otter, loves home-based education, as evidenced by this article about a recent speech he made to a group of kids at a homeschool graduation ceremony.
One quote from his remarks: "There can be no firmer foundation for your future than the education you have received at home."
That's what I've always told people. We're building a foundation for my son's future, something that he himself can build upon. We're teaching him independent-thinking and a love for learning.
Governor Otter may appreciate and understand the job homeschoolers are doing, but others still stubbornly argue. In that same article, Sherri Wood, the head of the state's largest teachers' union, trots out the same old tired point about... Can you guess? Yes, socialization. Ugh.
Wood says, "They're pretty isolated. They don't have any of those socialization skills. Employers want students who aren't just skilled in academics. They want them to get along well with other people."
So, the mission of the public schools is to teach kids to get along with each other? Well, I've seen how that's working out.
I've been around a lot of homeschoolers over the past year, during field trips, picnics, parties, and classes. One thing you will not find among them is a bully. They are the most polite, respectful young kids you could ever hope to find.
And isolated? What did I just write up there? About field trips, picnics, parties, and classes? Give me a break. This is why I just laugh when someone brings up the "socialization" argument. There is no faster way to reveal your ignorance of the subject.
With our governor's resounding endorsement of homeschooling, doors will continue to open wider for students like my son. The last few negative stereotypes are slowly fading. I'm very happy about that. Heck, I might even vote for Otter next election.
Labels: homeschooling
Permalink posted by Phil at 12:06 AM
7 Comments:
Firstly, let me point out that I'm not criticizing your home schooling, I am just interested in your opinion on something -
Do you feel that having just one teacher (you) throughout the entire of your kids school career will limit the perspectives on the world that he is exposed to?
I had a lot of teachers in my time, some good and some bad, but i can think of three or four that helped me to see things from a different angle.
For example a child who is home-schooled in a white supremacist household (not you! it's just an example) would be certain to grow up into a white supremacist, whereas if they had been schooled publicly then there is a small chance that their views may be challenged.
As I say, not a criticism, just a point of interest.
I won't be my son's only teacher. He had outside classes this past year, including PE and Art. Next year he'll be joining a once-a-week co-op program for literature and history. He'll also be starting piano lessons with an outside teacher. That's standard fare for most homeschoolers that I encounter.
There are plenty of parents who homeschool who should not be teaching their kids. But they are the exception to the rule. Just like I know that the abusive public school teacher is also the exception.
The kind of homeschooling we are doing is NOT the stereotypical isolated experience. My son gets out and about, meeting and talking with a wide variety of people (kids and adults). And that was just for third grade. As the years progress, there will be even more opportunities for him to see and hear different viewpoints.
I've been trying to teach my son that the earth is flat, but he's having none of that. :)
I am all for homeschooling, of course you already knew that! :) I heard from my friend Mike (TN) you know a friend of his, awesome! Did I mention I am an Idahoan? Born in Idaho Falls! :)
Mike Jones is my friend here, he said he knows someone in Idaho, of course I can't remember his name...I will let you know as soon as I find out, ha! :)
I'd like to follow up on Phil's response to Dan.
Most Homeschoolers use a wide variety of approaches to teaching. We use textbooks, videos, extensive use of the library, and even some tutoring.
I would make the arguement that many homeschoolers are exposed to more diversity that public schools.
Quite a number of home-schooled students have enrolled in my courses at Lane Community College.
They've been superb. Each one of them. In fact, they've been more fearless than many of their peers in terms of pursuing ideas and projects ambitously and have been independent learners, just the way I try to help all my students become.
I've followed your writing fairly closely as well as a new cyber friend in Canada who home schools her kids, and all I can say is I wish I had the kind of freedom with my students you do with yours and I wish I were free of institutional bureaucracy to the degree you must be on a day to day basis.
I'm a member of the NEA, too.
It doesn't blind me to the fact that I see very well-educated students who come to my courses after being home schooled.
In many ways, I'm envious of the experience they are having.
Makes me want to move to Idaho, almost. :) Too cold for me, I think. Making my rounds on the carnival of homeschooling. Keep up the great work!
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